The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges funds communication projects that mitigate anthropogenic climate change. Proposals should focus on influencing public opinion, providing inspiration, changing attitudes, spreading information, etc. The Foundation welcomes applications from all over the world. The Foundation makes large grants ranging from €20 thousand to €200 thousand, although larger projects may be considered. The application deadlines to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) are 22 January, 10 April, 29 May, 07 August, 15 October, and 27 November 2025. Climate Change Awareness
We support new and unexpected ways of communicating the need for transitioning to a low-carbon economy
New or unexpected ways of communicating
We want to finance projects that inspire us. Many charitable funders will avoid unproven techniques, high-risk projects, or audiences not reached by normal campaigns, but those things are what we’re here for.
In light of MFMC’s Full Funding Strategy, the Board will review all applications against the following questions:
– Describe the systemic change you are seeking to create
– Why are you the right group or organisation to achieve this change?
– Why is your project needed at this exact moment?
The Minor Foundation supports European-based organizations and communication projects that:
– Lead to changes in policies or practises in public or private institutions in line with pathways for 1,5C
– Increase knowledge and implementation of needed policies and technologies
– Reduce new build out or use of fossil fuels
– Increase the uptake and use of carbon-free solutions
– Create positive mobilisation for the actions and policies needed to keep global warming within the pathway of 1,5C
– Increase the number of voices and narratives in climate advocacy
We do not support
– Organisations or projects with a commercial purpose
– Organisations that are registered outside Europe
– Research-projects
– Climate adaptation projects
– General climate information campaigns or projects
– Projects with a purely local focus or community-level projects
– The foundation does not support projects directed towards individual behaviour change unless this is part of a clear strategy for larger, structural, political change
– We only support applications from organisations, not individuals
– The foundation may support costs for personnel and operations as part of a wider project application, but not in and of itself
Further information about the foundation is available on the MFMC website.
Calls for applications
MFMC traditionally announces six calls for applications every year, in two different categories: large and small grants.
LARGE GRANTS In this category, MFMC is looking for projects typically in the range of EUR 20,000 to EUR 200,000, although larger projects may be considered. The application process consists of two steps, where interested organizations are asked to initially submit a short pitch. Based on this, the organization may be invited to submit a full application if the MFMC board finds the project appealing.
SMALL GRANTS In this category, it is possible to apply for smaller grants of up to EUR 10,000 in a simplified one-stage process. Applications will be assessed by the MFMC board based on its aims and strategy.
Click here for an overview of freequently asked questions (FAQ).
Overview of application deadlines 2025
22 January 2025
10 April 2025
29 May 2025
7 August 2025
15 October 2025
27 November 2025
Please choose the relevant category below for further details about the application process.
Click here for an overview of freequently asked questions (FAQ).
The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges – small grants
In this call for applications it is possible to apply for smaller grants of up to EUR 10,000, provided that the application falls within the strategic aims of MFMC. Please consult the MFMC strategy carefully before considering submitting an application.
You are welcome to submit an application on behalf of your organization electronically by clicking “Apply here”. In order to prepare your application ahead of time, click here to download a screenshot of the application form.
Applicant with a Norwegian ID?
In order to submit an application to the Minor Foundation for Major Challenges your organization must submit a short description of the planned application to the secretary of the MFMC board. The purpose of the description is to determine whether or not your project clearly falls within the MFMC strategy and thus merits the attention of the board.
The secretary to the MFMC board, Mr. Tore Brænd, may be contacted at tore.braend@minor-foundation.no.
Please note that processing a description may take several days, and contact should therefore be made well in advance of the deadline for the relevant call.
Upon receiving preapproval, applicants with a Norwegian ID can easily access and register in UNIFOR’s application portal through “ID-porten”.
Applications by organizations not preapproved by the secretary of the board will be rejected.
International applicant without a Norwegian ID?
In order to access UNIFOR’s application portal without a Norwegian ID, you have to request a user profile by contacting the secretary of the MFMC board. A user profile will be set up if the project is found to clearly fall within the MFMC strategy and thus merits the attention of the board. When contacting the secretary of the MFMC board, prospective applicants must provide the following information:
– Name of organization
– Full name (as is written in passport) of organization’s contact person
– Organization’s full postal address
– Contact person’s phone number
– Contact person’s e-mail address
– A short description of the planned application, for example the pitch or short description to be submitted in the application form, that clearly explains how the project falls within the strategic aims of MFMC (copy directly into e-mail, not as an attachment)
– Documentation that you represent an organization, in the form of an officially certified proof of registration (f. ex. tax registration) of your organization must be included as an attachment to your inquiry
The secretary to the MFMC board, Mr. Tore Brænd, may be contacted at tore.braend@minor-foundation.no. Please note that processing a request for a user profile may take several days, and that contact therefore should be made well in advance of the deadline for the relevant call.
Technical assistance
After your request for a user profile in the UNIFOR portal is granted, the UNIFOR staff will set up your profile and may assist with the rest of the application process as needed.
UNIFOR is a Norwegian organization and our working hours are 08:00-16:00 CEST. If you contact us on the day of the current deadline, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to assist you in time to submit your application. In such case you have to wait until the next call for applications is announced.
Please note that most of UNIFOR’s website is in Norwegian language. It is possible to use the Google translate button on the bottom left of the page. However, please be sceptical about the accuracy of the resulting translations. If you find the translated text difficult to understand, please contact UNIFOR’s administration for an explanation.
